Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Human Louse

Insects

Pediculus humanus is a species of louse that infests humans, comprising two subspecies: Pediculus humanus humanus, the body louse, first described by Linnaeus in 1758, and Pediculus humanus capitis, the head louse, described by De Geer in 1767.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 2
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 3
Relationship to People
Disease Vector 2
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Head lice (the subspecies Pediculus humanus capitis) are grey in general, but their precise color varies according to the environment in which they were raised 1
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 4
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 2
Scientific Name
Pediculus humanus 5
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 6
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Insecta, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Human Louse
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Australia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Brazil

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Iran

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

North America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Head louse, Wikipedia
Adult morphology
Quote, Adult morphology
Head lice are grey in general, but their precise color varies according to the environment in which they were raised.
View the Source
2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Pediculus humanus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Pediculus humanus
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
    However, lice can be vectors for important diseases.
View the Source
3. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
4. NatureServe Explorer: Pediculus humanus
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source
5. Human louse, Wikipedia
Introductory paragraph
Quote, Introductory paragraph
Pediculus humanus is a species of louse that infests humans.
View the Source
6. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Pediculus humanus
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 4987991, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 4987991, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Human Louse
  • Wikidata Q3737588, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Insecta, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.